Taken with Olympus E500 digital camera on May 6th, 2007. Click image for larger view.
Warmer days bring out more insects.
This is some kind of parasitic wasp (Ichneumon) that lay eggs in other insects. Their larvae feeds on the insect until it dies. This can be very useful as a biological pest control instead of using toxic pesticides.
I have tried to identify the species, but there are estimated to be over 80,000 of them so it is hard. Hope some of my readers can help me out with the ID. 🙂
Or it might be some kind of alien overlord?
Information about the picture:
Camera: Olympus E-500 digital single-lens reflex camera
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/9
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Lens: Olympus Zuiko Digital 35mm F3.5 Macro
Location: Laupstad, Andørja (Ibestad, Troms) in northern Norway
Yes Ichneumons are difficult! This may be Ambelyteles armatorius but you really need an expert. Why not post this on the Field Guide to Insects and Spiders (www.flickr.com/groups/70907497@N00/) on Flickr?
Keith, that’s a great suggestion. The idea of an “alien overlord” was funny, might be true however Man may have an additional label. 🙂
Do you allow republication of your photos?
Keith: I actually did that before posting the picture here. That is the way I found out it was a parasitic wasp.
Macro photography is teaching me lots about the nature around me 🙂
Nia: Sent you a mail.
I am so glad that I don’t have to deal with those. We’ve got a few of our own wasps that makes nest in our mobile homes each year.
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